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A part of me wanted him to go farther. And another part of me had been screaming for it to stop. I sigh as I pull on a tank top and shorts. I pull my hair back and then head down to where Natsu was leaning against the door. Why did I trust him so much?

I followed him to his car and got in. My heart was practically running a marathon by itself. Natsu seemed perfectly unaffected, his looks and tone unwavering as we talked about training. I fell silent for the last half of the ride. It was an uncomfortable silence, and I wanted something to break it.

We pulled up to his place and I walked in ahead of him. It was quiet inside, signaling that we where the only ones around right now. I let out a small sigh of relief, I didn't like training as much when the others where around.

I started a few of my warm ups, getting ready to start practicing. After I finished this, I carefully wrapped my hands and slid on my gloves. I let out a soft breath of air before beginning slowly and methodically. I practiced basic punches. Then I moved to using my arms as defense as I lashed out. I even practiced some kicks.

I stepped back and looked at the clock, seeing that three hours had pressed by. I let my arms drop and I unstrapped my gloves, throwing them back in their little locker. I leaned my head on the cool metal as I unwrapped my hands as well.

"The guys didn't show up today," I note. Natsu stopped what he was doing, all sounds except our breathing ceased.

"They all had business to take care of," he says with a slight icy tone. I look over at him as I start unwrapping my other hand.

"Was it gang related?" I ask carefully. I was treading on thin ice. Extremely thin ice.

"It was related to things you don't need to know about," he looks over at me as he speaks with a harsh tone. I press my lips together tightly, getting his message. I look down and place the other wrap neatly inside the small locker next to my gloves and second wrap.

"Done for the day I see," Gray says nonchalantly as he strolls in, half naked. I don't look at him but I was glaring in his general direction.

"Yeah," Natsu puts his things away. "You have the place to yourself." He gets up to walk out but Gray places a hand on his chest and whispers something in Natsu's ear that makes him scowl.

"Be careful," Gray says more audibly.

"Yeah, you too. Have you let everyone else know?" Natsu asks him, earning a nod from Gray.

I watch them both confused and curious. Judging from their hushed tones it was something I shouldn't know about. Quietly I made my way out the door as they talked. I opened the front door and leaned in the door frame to let the soft breeze slide over my skin.

"Why are you just standing there in the door?" I hear Natsu ask from somewhere behind me.

"It feels nice," I chirp in response.

"Well come back in, it's not a good idea to stand there," he says with warning in his tone. I sigh and step back, letting it close.

"I guess you wouldn't tell me why it's not such a great idea to stand there?" I eye him carefully. He shakes his head.

"That's strictly need to know," he comes over to me and rests his hand on my head and looks me right in the eye. "And you don't need to know." I pout and stick my tongue out at him.

"Fine," I sigh exasperatingly.

"Come on, I'll take you home," Natsu heads for the door.

"Okay.." I bite my lip and follow him. The drive was blanketed in a comfortable silence. Finally Natsu sighed.

"Lucy, mind if I stay at your place for a while?" He asks.

I look at him wide eyed. "W-why?" I ask almost breathless.

"The guys are...taking over my house for a while. I need a place to crash," he looks over at me as he says this. I try and calm my racing thoughts.

"Yeah.. I guess so. Dad won't care since he never notices things anyway..." I murmur.

"Thanks Luce," Natsu grins as he faces forward again. We get to my house and get out. When I get inside I climb up the stairs and flop onto my bed. Natsu sits in a chair in my room. I roll over to look at him.

"Are you sure there isn't any other reason you need to stay here?" I question him. His reason before sounded pretty sketchy.

He got up and walked over to me. "Maybe I just wanted an excuse to stay near you longer," he teased.

"Tch, whatever," I roll my eyes. He grabs me by my waist and pulls me up. I shriek and grab onto him feeling off balance. He laughed at me as I look at him panicked.

"What was that for?!" I gasp.

"For my amusement," he smirks and pokes my side where I'm ticklish making me giggle. "So, are ready for tomorrow?" He asks.

"Ready for school?" I scoff. "Never." He chuckles as my response. But inside I was starting to have that nagging worry. So much could happen... I internally shook off my thoughts. I had no real reason to worry. I could defend myself. I just had to finally speak out against the Princess herself.

Daughter of the most powerful man in the country.

Yeah, this was going to be a piece of cake.